Forgotten Word Ministries Blog

yeshua'slove · Active Member

RE: What is your opinion of Ray Boltz coming out?

cjjanzen73 · Newbie

I am brokenhearted! I have received such great hope and encouragement from his songs. cry

They inspire me and have helped me through some very difficult personal situations. Tears often flow down my face because his music touches my very soul. "Thank You" was such a wonderful picture of my father and his walk with the Lord and service to others that I had that portion of the video "The Concert of a Lifetime" played at the close of his funeral service.

Satan, that Old Deceiver, is pulling out all of the stops to confuse and destroy Christians. furious

He KNOWS that his time is short and he know that it is truly a BONUS to try to destroy the life and testimony of someone like Ray Boltz whose music has been so inspirational to so many people. Ray was (is) a wonderful singer and songwriter; gifts that are God-given. I'm truly sorry that the Deceiver has gotten to Ray. It is not our position as christians to tear down other believers, even when they have been deceived. It IS or obligation to pray diligently for each other, EVERY SINGLE DAY; PRAYER CHANGES THINGS!

Let us keep Ray, his family, AND EACH OTHER in our fervent prayers every single day; because we are all fair game for Satans wiles!

yeshua'slove · Active Member

It is sad and gross. They need prayers from what I read his own wife embraces it WHAT there's a mixed up mess. Unfortnately I have been in COG and have heard some of them state and witness them having homosexual urges or whatever you call it. I think it has to potential to infiltrate the church more and more as we have become a tolerable country. cry

Along with this problem as well as many other areas of repute in church there is a huge perversion of pornography this ought not be. This to has been permissable and not called on the carpet and dealt with. ashamed

Stop holding men's accountablity classes but never make them deal with it once and for all.

Having therefore these promises ,dearly beloved ,let us cleanse ourselves from all FILTHINESS OF THE FLESH AND SPIRIT, perfecting holiness in the fear of
G-D(II Corinthians 7:1) biggrin

Likewise I have heard his music he's played with the Gaithers and other inspirational singers. But why did we think or was shock that this could happen in the body of Christ maybe it's because we sometimes think people in the body that's in the public eye could not possible do something like this remember always to not have respect of persons when we do this we look like and act like the world no one deserves a pedistal including even christians.

As far as Ray Boltz is concerned prayer, he know's better if he plays with fire he's going to get burned cry

sad, sad,sad

love people · Newbie

I don't think we need to debate the rights and wrong of homosexuality.God has already spoken on this matter.Let me encourage readers not to dismiss the message with the messenger.Ray's songs are powerful evangalistic and inspirational tools, I'm just sorry that he did'nt love Jesus enough to give up His desires in exchange for honouring God.The reality is that even if Ray justify his decision their is still the issue of him not having sex with his male partners.There is still the fornication issue that He will have to deal with if he still claims to be a christian. We all have our struggles.Mine was mastubation,but I became liberate when I made the choice that "I Will not" no amout of praying helped me over the years.It was only when I moved from pray.(repentence) to choice that I was free from my addition.Choice Choice Choice.I beileive Ray will continue to inspire others with his new singing material one does not loose his gift because of his present state.How anointed the songs will be I don't know,King Saul prophesy after God's anointing had left him.Maybe it will help if Ray stop hiding out in Florida and talk to persons like Donnie Mc Clurkin who had some real struggles in this area even while he was a minister.Ray my heart goes out to you. Love People

bobw · administrator

EmbracedbyJesus
Welcome to the board. We are so glad to have you and your opinions. You stated it well. You are exactly right that admitting something doesn't automatically make it ok. One may admit to a murder but it doesn't make it right, he is still guilty. The Lord will deal with those who decide to give in instead of fighting the good fight but we while still here on the earth should stand for what is right and proper according to Jesus and let others know the truth.
Again, thanks and welcome.!
bob w

EmbracedbyJesus · Active Member

I just read today about Ray's confession. My heart is seriously grieving for this man and his family. In one way I'm upset that Ray is now no longer confused, he's okay and now his family has to deal with the aftermath. His children and wife are now dealing with so much. But at the same time his confession only proves 1Pet. 5:8 that our adversary, the devil, prowls around seeking whom he may devour. I do believe that each believer does struggle with certain sin(s) that seem to be such a stronghold.
Some are given more to rage, theft, lying, sexual immorality, addictions (whether it be drugs, alcohol, food, etc...). I think we all need to think through the thought "Since God made me this way I can live it freely" more thoroughly. Besides the fact that God states that homosexuality is wrong we also need to see that all sexual immorality is wrong as well as many other sins. A person who cannot seem to stay faithful in marriage can claim that God made him/her to love so many others and just continue to be unfaithful. How about the habitual liar? God made him/her a liar, therefore, he/she doesn't need to stop lying. We can use "Since I was born this way I can continue this way" for every sin. We must love our brethren but also must deal with the sin in their lives just as we must be willing to be held accountable for our own as well. It is good that Ray admitted his struggle but he is seriously deceived by our adversary that it is okay to continue to live a homosexual lifestyle. He and his family so desperately needs prayer as so many other families who deal with those who want to continue to live a lifestyle of sin because it is easier to give in than to fight the good fight.

centurion · Newbie

GOD BLESS YOU! angeljoymom, the saint, wordworker, bobw for your inspiring message.i also have homosexual attacks even when i was younger and even until now i'm already 29 years old and an army officer. there were times in my Christian life that it seems i'm already free from bondage but there are a lot of times that it attacks me so hard that i give in by going to online porn..i cried so hard for God to help me become free from this sin..i strongly don't agree that Christian men attacked by homosexual tendencies should simply just accept what they feel..i'm asking for everyone's prayer to help me not to do what ray boltz just did..accepting being a homosexual but denying that it is a sin,denying that he needs help and help and help... my continued battle against this sin is sometimes waning and in my job,even the slightest hint of accepting homosexuality would loosen your confidence and those of your men but that is not what's really bothering me,what's bothering me is not fearing GOD and not respecting Him by easily giving in to my sexual tendencies...ironically i was just repenting for the Lord to forgive my sins after watching watch the lamb in youtube,and i've read in one of the comments that ray boltz just recently came out and pronounced himself as gay shock me..what happened might be tragic for ray but i think finding out about it and then God finally leading me to this site and reading the opinions of you four actually bolstered me to continue battling homosexuality..i'm praying for ray that He find God again even if this worlds lustful nature continues to attack..we should still be fighting homosexuality and i've learned something more terrible than death that is living without Christ & honor..

angeljoymom · Newbie

How does one who loves the Lord come to terms and admit they're homosexual when they know it is a sin detested or abhored by God? How do they look in the mirror and reconcile this within themselves? Who can they talk to who will actually help them without incurring rejection and judgment?

Last month I was blogging with a gay pastor (http://escottjones.typepad.com/myquest/2008/07/ex-gay-story-on-channel-4.html), and haven't finished yet...the ball's been in my court for 3 wks.
My heart is grieved and I can't help but wonder if his is an example of what God means about "reprobate" minds...I'm ready to give up and hope God's not.

The Saint said: It's difficult for me to understand why he struggled and tried so hard for so long to get free of his sin and somehow was not able.

Amen. It sounds like he's been in counseling...that he's tried to fight "natural" homosexual tendencies and expected the outcome of that fight to leave him "naturally" heterosexual.
Because of Ray's Christian history, I'm inclined to think that it wasn't in Ray's conscience control...ie, it wasn't the "choice" such as what we might think it is. I think that for some the choice is based on preference of orientation; but not for all.

The Saint also said: If anyone who reads this struggles with homosexuality, I say, "keep on struggling!" God may well give you a miraculous deliverance or you may never be completely free of the feelings or temptation. Having feelings or being tempted are not in themselves sin. It's when we give in to temptation and act on it that it becomes sin.

Bravo!
It would be awesome if the Body could lovingly make room and stop criticizing the people who need to cut off their hand so it doesn't offend them.

Matthew 5:30
30And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Perhaps Ray and others like him would be with us now if they had found a place of grace.

The Saint · Veteran Long Time Friend of the Ministry

When I read this post, the name "Ray Boltz" sounded familiar, but I didn't know who he was. So I found the magazine article about his "coming out." Here it is for others to read: http://www.washingtonblade.com/2008/9-12/arts/feature/13258.cfm?page=1

What a sad, sad story. It's difficult for me to understand why he struggled and tried so hard for so long to get free of his sin and somehow was not able. He obviously had a pretty good understanding of Scripture and the Gospel. I'm very sad for him and his family that he couldn't break free. The worst part is this quote: If this is the way God made me, then this is the way Im going to live. Its not like God made me this way and hell send me to hell if I am who he created me to be." We were all born in sin, but for us to throw up our hands and decide to live an openly sinful life and stop struggling with it is a huge sign that we may well have never been born again in the newness of Christ.

If anyone who reads this struggles with homosexuality, I say, "keep on struggling!" God may well give you a miraculous deliverance or you may never be completely free of the feelings or temptation. Having feelings or being tempted are not in themselves sin. It's when we give in to temptation and act on it that it becomes sin.

I truly hope that Ray Boltz and others who have similar stories someday come to repentance and I hope that the Christian community can help them to do that by loving them back into the fold.

wordworker · Lifelong Friend of the Ministry

How sad that there will be many people who will say, "But his singing is so annointed, God must approve of him."
The truth is, God will use anyone who is willing to be used ... even one who is in rebellion against His Word.
Once, when I was living for the enemy I was even used to lead someone to Christ ... I knew the way because I grew up knowing the way and when a friend of mine said she thought Christians had something she wanted I told her I would help her. I showed her "the Roman Road" and led her in the "Sinner's Prayer." I directed her to a good church nearby and even went with her the first time so she wouldn't be alone. She is still serving God. God will use ANYONE who is willing to be used.
I know I will still enjoy the music he wrote that I currently own in my home, (and pray for him everytime I do) but I will never buy another one of his songs (because I cannot support someone in that lifestyle) and I will not sing his songs in public again ... it sends the wrong message!
Remember, God even used a donkey to send correction to one of his prophets! (Balaam)

-- Edited by wordworker at 11:37, 2008-09-19

bobw · administrator

I was amazed but not amazed at the same time when I read the news about Ray Boltz. I was saddened more than anything about the situation because I felt Ray is deceived into believing all is well with Christ and Ray's decision to live this way. I disagree with Ray about this. Though I am not amazed at anything tht happens in this torn up world it still hurts to see so much degrading of the Gospel with all that is going on and being accepted as "ok".

The Bible states as follows: (and we HAVE to follow the Bible's rules not our own)
Romans 1:24-32
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

1 Corinthians 6:9,10

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Leviticus 18:22
22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

I know and believe that we are to hate the sin not the sinner but Ray still needs to stop, repent and ask Jesus to be his Lord & Savior.

-- Edited by bobw at 01:45, 2008-09-19